Fragomen Immigration Update: June 13 - 20, 2014

In immigration news this week, the Czech Republic will begin issuing a combined work and residence permit called an Employee Card on June 24, 2014. Existing work and residence permits will remain valid through their stated expiration dates. 

In Canada, children aged 19 and over will no longer qualify for immigration benefits as dependents under any Canadian immigration program, effective August 1, 2014. 

Beginning August 4, 2014, citizens of Russia will be required to notify the Russian Federal Migration Service if they obtain a residence permit or citizenship overseas, unless they will permanently reside abroad. Noncompliance could lead to fines or compulsory labor sentences. 

These items and other news from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kenya and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update. 

Remember that the Immigration Update is available through both e-mail and Web version by clicking on "View as Web Page" above.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

Canada, June 19, 2014

Limits on Immigration Benefits for Children to Take Effect in August

Effective August 1, 2014, children aged 19 and over will no longer qualify for immigration benefits as dependents under any Canadian immigration program.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Russia, June 18, 2014

Notification Required for Russian Citizens Residing Overseas

Beginning August 4, 2014, Russian citizens will be required to notify the Russian Federal Migration Service if they obtain a residence permit or citizenship overseas unless they will permanently reside abroad. Noncompliance could lead to fines or compulsory labor sentences.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Czech Republic, June 17, 2014

Combined Work and Residence Permit Becomes Available June 24

Foreign nationals seeking to work in Czech Republic under a local employment contract will be required to obtain a new combined work and residence permit called an Employee Card after June 24, 2014. Employers will no longer be required to submit a separate work permit application to the labor office.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

United States: USCIS Updates H-2B Cap Count – USCIS continues to accept H-2B petitions for employment start dates in the second half of FY 2014. The agency reports that as of June 16, 2014, it had received filings on behalf of 24,972 H-2B beneficiaries for the second half of FY 2014. Of these, 23,569 had been approved and 1,403 remained pending. For employment in the first half of FY 2015, the agency had received filings on behalf of 65 beneficiaries. The cap for each half-year is 33,000, but USCIS accepts filings in excess of the cap because some cases will be denied or withdrawn and because employers may ultimately employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than reflected in their petitions. 

Brazil: Internship Visas Now Limited to One Year and Other Changes – Holders of internship visas are now limited to a maximum stay of one year. These visas can no longer be extended beyond the holder’s first year in Brazil. Additionally, foreign educational institutions are now authorized to sponsor foreign nationals for internship visas for proposed stays of up to four months. Previously, only Brazilian schools could act as internship visa sponsors, and internships longer than four months still require a Brazilian sponsor. Internship visas are used by foreign students seeking to complete internship programs to complete their studies, as opposed to the trainee visa program used by companies sponsoring trainees and summer or exchange workers. 

Kazakhstan: Visa Waiver Pilot for Investors From Ten Countries – Between July 15, 2014 and July 15, 2015, nationals of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States will be allowed to travel to Kazakhstan without a visa if they have either made an investment in the country or are planning to do so. Visa-free stays must be limited to 15 days. Longer stays will require a business visa. 

Kenya: New Visa and Entry Fee Requirements for South African Nationals – Effective July 1, 2014, South African nationals travelling to Kenya for less than 30 days will be required to pay a service fee of ZAR 750 (US$70) prior to travel. Currently these travelers are visa exempt and do not have to complete any formalities before departure. Those travelling to Kenya for 30 days or more will be required to obtain a visa prior to travel. These travelers can currently obtain a visa on arrival in Kenya. 

In both instances, South African nationals must visit a local Kenyan diplomatic post in person prior to travel to submit biometrics and pay the service fee. They must also provide a copy of confirmed return or onward travel tickets, their passport with at least six months remaining validity, an invitation letter from a host entity in Kenya, a letter of employment from their South African employer and proof of funds for their trip. Travel authorization is expected to be issued by Kenyan diplomatic posts within five working days.

 

Global Immigration News Links 

• Austin Fragomen and Careen Shannon discuss a new report by the bipartisan Partnership for a New American Economy that finds that a lack of H-1B visas causes job and wage loss for U.S. tech workers.
• The Wall Street Journal looks at a recent Pew study highlighting the lack of diversity in the GOP and its impact on a number of issues, including stalled prospects for immigration reform
• The recent surge of unaccompanied minors into South Texas continues, overwhelming Border Patrol facilities and sparking heated debate in Washington over what is causing the crisis and how to proceed.
• A new report surveying more than 2,300 undocumented young people who had received reprieve under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program have seen big achievements, from obtaining driver's licenses to getting new jobs.
• Immigration is the third rail of British politics, with a race between the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems to seem tough on the issue in an effort to counteract the rise of UKIP.
• In a study of the increased globalization of soccer, Chrysovalantis Vasilakis of the University of Warwick found that relaxing rules on player migration offers significant benefits all around.

 

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